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Removal of poly(A) and consequent degradation of c-fos mRNA facilitated by 3′ AU-rich sequences

Nature volume 336, pages 396–399 (1988)Cite this article

Abstract

The c-fos proto-oncogene provides a good system to study the processes underlying messenger RNA degradation. After growth factor stimulation of susceptible cells, the c-fos transcription rate transiently increases from a low basal level by as much as 50-fold1, producing a large amount of exceedingly unstable c-fos mRNA that is rapidly degraded1–3. Here, we investigate the c-fos mRNA degradation process, and find that: (1) ongoing translation of the c-fos mRNA itself is required for its degradation; (2) after synthesis, the mRNA poly(A) tail is rapidly removed, in a translation-dependent manner, leading to accumulation of apparently de-adenylated RNA; (3) deletion or replacement of an AU-rich sequence at the mRNA 3′ end significantly stabilizes the mRNA; (4) deletion of the 3′ AU-rich sequences dramatically slows the poly(A) shortening rate. These results suggest that the 3′ AU-rich sequences act to destabilize the mRNA by directing rapid removal of the mRNA poly(A) tract.

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Author notes

  1. Richard Treisman: To whom correspondence should be addressed: Imperial Cancer Research Fund, PO Box 123, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A3PX, UK.

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  1. MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, MRC Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 2QH, UK

    Tim Wilson & Richard Treisman

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  1. Tim Wilson
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Wilson, T., Treisman, R. Removal of poly(A) and consequent degradation of c-fos mRNA facilitated by 3′ AU-rich sequences. Nature 336, 396–399 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/336396a0

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